An island-wide Campaign to End Violence Against Women (CEVAW) was launched
today with the aim to reduce social acceptance of violence against women.

The objective of this three-year campaign initiated by funded by Oxfam GB is
to create an enabling environment for public dialogue on violence against
women and to generate a collective as well as visible stand against it, so
as to bring about change in attitudes, beliefs and practices.

“The pervasive culture of domestic violence has eroded women’s fundamental
rights to life, security, bodily integrity, work and safety at home. We need
to take stock of this growing concern and reassess our attitudes and
practices that support and condone violence against another individual. This
is the responsibility of every human being, including you and me,” President
Chandrika Kumaratunga said in a
video message at the launch at BMICH.

In Sri Lanka, it is estimated that around 60% of women are subjected to
domestic violence. According to the statistics compiled by the Sri Lanka
police based on complaints it has registered during 2003, there were 2155
cases of violence against women, of which 690 cases were of battering,
assault and injury.

HE

Violence is an inescapable reality in women’s lives, as the social customs
and attitudes that support violence against them are entrenched and
institutionalized at all levels, in the home, family, community, society,
and the State. Breaking the silence on this violence is not easy, or is it
even real option for most women, to do so would threaten their lives.

The incidence of violence against women is growing notwithstanding the
immense efforts of women’s groups and other local, national and
international organizations over the past three decades.

Worldwide, one in three women will face violence simply because they are
female.

The situation of women in South Asia
is worse. In
Sri Lanka, it is estimated that around 60% of the women are subject to
domestic violence. Even with such high figures domestic violence is still
seen as normal and a private matter. This normalization of domestic violence
reinforces societal acceptance. We need to recognize domestic violence, as a
violation of human rights, and this should no longer be tolerated.

The pervasive culture of domestic violence has eroded women’s fundamental
rights to life, security, bodily integrity, work and safety at home.

We need to take stock of this growing concern and reassess our attitudes and
practices that support and condone violence against another individual. This
is the responsibility of every human being, including you and me.